We were excited when a birder discovered Dark Star Milkvine (Chthamalia atrostellata) growing at the oasis. It's quite rare and localized. A lifer for us!
My sister is convalescing from hip replacement surgery, but she managed to get herself into the location to see it. We collected a specimen for Dr. Powell, the expert on Big Bend plants.
Dr. Powell wrote this to my sister, "As far as I know, this would be the fourth documented locality in the world." (He's the author of this huge tome on plants.)
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| Photo of one of our blooms taken by Troy Hibbitts |
UPDATE: The name I first posted it by was Matelea atrostellata, but I have since learned the name has been changed to Chthamalia atrostellata. The four documented locations for it are two in the Christmas Mountains (including ours), one in Big Bend National Park (Cattail Falls), and one in Coahuila, Mexico. I have observed at least eight seedpods in our patch of them.
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9 comments:
So cool, Carolyn! (from Matt)
thank is amazing - and wonderful!!! save the seeds we will all want one :)
How exciting!!
Wow!
Amazing! I’ve never seen or heard of it! Thanks so much for sharing!
How amazing. I keep looking at your photos and they are mesmorizing. Indeed a rare beauty. I plan to travel to weet Texas hopefully to see a Hinckly Oak in the wild.
I love and appreciate all your comments!
What a unique looking flower. Never knew it existed. Such an exciting find and addition to your oasis.
Wow what an amazing flower find, a great find for the bird and a book signing!
You deserve every moment!!! Congrats
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